Florida Tow Operators Hold Rally/Procession for Injured Officer

Photo: CLICK ORLANDO

Dozens of tow operators from across Central Florida gathered at the Halifax Health Medical Center in Daytona on June 29 to rally for a Daytona Beach police officer critically injured in a shooting.

Daytona Beach Officer Jason Raynor, 26, was hospitalized at the center after being shot in the head on June 23. Raynor reportedly approached Othal Wallace, 29, while investigating a suspicious incident. He was shot shortly afterwards, and Wallace was identified as the suspect in the shooting.

Wallace was arrested in Georgia on Saturday, June 26 and extradited to Volusia County, Fla. He was booked into Volusia County Branch Jail on Friday morning, facing charges of attempted first-degree murder of a law enforcement officer.

The tow truck rally and procession, organized by Volusia Towing, Arrow Towing and Daytona Wrecker, is part of an out-pouring of community support for Raynor, who was well-liked by fellow officers, tow operators and others. The procession drove under a large American flag with lights flashing and horns sounding.

According to police, Raynor remains in critical condition but is showing signs of improvement.

As of Friday, July 2, a GoFundMe drive for Raynor had raised $340,828 of a goal of $400,000.